Every year, I try to share a few favorite gift ideas for artists and designers, and this year I thought I’d broaden things a bit to include some gift ideas for all creatives – from aspiring artists to hobbyists to weekend DIYers. There are definitely a few things in this gift guide that I use on a regular basis, along with a few other things that are on my own personal holiday wishlist. So whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves dabbling in creative pursuits or maybe just want to forward this on to your significant other to help them in their holiday gift purchases, hopefully there’s a little something for everyone below!
1. Creatives of all types and backgrounds need to photograph their work, and ideally showcase it in the best possible light. Styling boards can seriously elevate the quality of those photos, but they’re definitely an investment. I’m a big fan of the double-sided styling surfaces from Erickson Woodworks and the plaster surfaces of One Stone West.
2. I’ve been wanting to try weaving, and the colors in these weaving and roving packs from fiber artist Maryanne Moodie are just gorgeous. Just don’t forget the loom!
3. + 4. If someone is just starting out in a creative field, they might not have the resources to invest in beautiful styling props. I love these silk table runners from Tono & Co – they look absolutely stunning in styled shoots and can even double as a background for product photos. Ribbons also make the most beautiful styling props in photos, and I love these new ribbons with black edges from Angela Liguori!
5. Small dishes, like these gorgeous ring dishes from Suite One Studio, are great for holding ephemera on a desk – or even as props for styled photos!
6. Zojirushi mugs are the perfect way to keep beverages hot or cold throughout the day. Give one for hot beverages, and another to have ice cold water available throughout the day – it’s important to stay hydrated!
7. This adorable zipper pouch from Ban.do is the perfect way to organize pens, pencils, and paint brushes.
8. + 9. Watercolor supplies make a lovely gift for an aspiring artist. I’m a big fan of this Koi travel watercolor palette for beginner artists, and Jenna from Mon Voir sells kits with professional level supplies that are great for intermediate artists and hobbyists. Don’t forget a pad of high quality watercolor paper. My favorite is Stonehenge by Legion Paper.
10. These zippered pouches are a great way to stay organized! They’re basically modern trapper keepers, with tons of pockets both inside and outside, and can even fit up to a 13″ Macbook Pro! Plus, they come in some seriously fantastic colors.
11. Houseplants are a great gift for someone who works from home. Check your local hardware store, or even Home Depot and Lowe’s for great deals on low-maintenance plants. These googly eye planters totally crack me up – I’d love to have a set for my home office!
12. It took me the longest time to invest in a quality paper trimmer – and it always drove me nuts when I needed to cut something in a straight line for a project! I have this hefty bypass paper trimmer and love it. Of course, this wouldn’t cut it for a professional stationer, but for DIY projects at home it’s absolutely fantastic.
13. I have this Silhouette CAMEO and use it all the time for DIY projects (like these DIY Matisse-inspired pumpkins!). You can use it to cut out vinyl decals, create custom fabric transfers, and even create custom cut paper pieces!
*Also, creative classes and workshops make a wonderful gift for creatives! You can do some research to find local workshops in your area, or check out online workshops if that isn’t an option. I highly recommend the Modern Calligraphy Summit for aspiring calligraphers, and these online floral workshops from Nicole of Soil + Stem look amazing! If you’re in the DC area, my friend Michele teaches calligraphy and brush lettering workshops – and we’ve got lots of fun workshops planned at Common Room Studio in December and 2018!
